from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church https://ift.tt/2CkgugI
via IFTTT They knew! They understood. Here we have Jesus speaking again in parables. Earlier Jesus explained that parables were used so that those granted hearing would"get it" while those not granted understanding would not see. If that's true, then the religious leaders here that understood were granted understanding. God specifically wanted them to understand that Jesus was condemning their actions here. They knew and they rejected Jesus anyway. God showed them the error of their ways, warned them of their evil doing. They knew but instead of turning and repenting, they stood firm in their sin. Understanding is not the key! So often today we hear that "it is all about communication, about understanding." Well obviously not here. They understood and it didn't do a thing for them. It is not enough to know when we do evil, it all depends on the heart. Their hearts were cold. Dead. Selfish. They didn't respond with repentance once they gained understanding because their hearts were not ready. On fact, the very understanding that should have brought them to repentance and salvation caused more evil, they turned against Jesus to kill Him. We must be careful. Understanding, communication is not enough. We must have a soft heart. We must desire pleasing God over all else. Then and only then do we find repentance and forgiveness. Talking, teaching, learning will either turn us to repentance or deeper sin, depending on our heart. This applies in our walk with God as well as our relationship with each other. It's all about the heart. Communication between hardened hearts just brings more sin. First submit the heart to God. Let Him soften us through whatever means necessary. Then what we hear and see and understand, what we are told, will help instead of hurt. We will find repentance and forgiveness instead of conviction. It is all about the heart. They knew but they rejected. Pray for a softer heart to avoid their fate.
